Defaulting company ordered to pay its Sanral debt
An Alberton-based company has been ordered by the High Court in Pretoria to pay its outstanding South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) debt worth R450 000.
The judgement was handed down in January this year.
Sanral spokesperson Vusi Mona says the judgement has set a precedent. He believes this means motorists and companies who do not pay their e-toll debt can be taken to court.
"The agency has a duty in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury regulations, to collect all monies due to it. It's an obligation we take seriously," says Mona.
Wayne Duvenage, from the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), says the judgement against the company did not deal with the merits of e-tolls.
"When you look at the judgement, you realise that e-tolls have not been discussed. All that has happened is that there is an order against the individual to pay their outstanding debt, "adds Duvenage.
Duvenage says when OUTA exposes the unlawfulness of e-tolls, then no orders will be made against people not paying their e-toll bills.
However, Mona says Sanral is optimistic that the judgement will be persuade other courts to act against defaulters.
Last year, Sanral issued out 6000 summonses to people who have not paid their e-toll bills.